2 HuJI terrorists gunned down, 3 held after S Delhi encounter

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) Police gunned down two suspected Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI) terrorists in an encounter in the Jamia Nagar area of South Delhi this morning.

The encounter followed a tip-off by Abu Basher, an Ahmedabad blasts suspect who was brought here yesterday by the Gujarat Police.

While Atif, alias Bashir, and one of his accomplices Fakhruddin were killed in the encounter, three others were arrested, said a senior police official, adding that a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was recovered from their 'hideout'.

''The one arrested says his name is Saif,'' he added.

''An Inspector and a constable of the Special Cell were also injured in the encounter,'' the official added.

The area was cordoned off and close-by buildings evacuated as a safety measure. A search was on for the two who fled, said the official.

Five people were detained for harbouring them. They were being questioned.

According to initial investigations, the terrorists were living there on rent.

The encounter took place near Batla House in Jamia Nagar and the National Security Guard commandos were kept on stand-by.

The encounter took place barely a week after the serial blasts in the national capital claimed over 20 lives.

UNI AN SKB DS1453